Pick-up head having at least one main broom therein, for a mobile sweeping vehicle

ABSTRACT

A pick-up head for a mobile sweeping vehicle comprises a main housing defining a substantially hollow interior and has a front, a back, a left end and a right end, a top and a bottom, and a suctioning bottom opening for suctioning dust and small debris into the substantially hollow interior of the main housing. There is a dust and debris outlet in the housing for permitting dust and debris to be suctioned from the substantially hollow interior of the housing into a hopper. There is also at least one main broom operatively mounted in the rearward portion of the substantially hollow interior of the main housing, for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis so as to sweep a surface being cleaned in a generally forward direction, thereby propelling debris forwardly into the substantially hollow interior of the main housing, for subsequent suctioning into the dust and debris outlet. A selectively operable motor is for operating the at least one main broom.

This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/975,095 filed on Oct. 2, 2007, which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to factory and sidewalk sweepers, and more particularly to pick-up heads for factory and sidewalk sweepers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of sidewalk sweepers and factory floor sweepers are well known in the industry. Sidewalk sweepers are typically used to sweep sidewalks, parking lots, and so on, and must sweep along curbs and the sides of buildings in order to sweep dust and debris that is adjacent to the curbs and buildings. Factory floor sweepers are typically used to sweep aisle ways in factories and warehouses, and the like.

In each case, the sidewalk sweepers or factory sweepers typically have two gutter brooms each mounted on at laterally movable arm assembly directly in front of the sweeping vehicle; however, there is no main broom.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pick-up head for use with a sidewalk sweeper and a factory floor sweeper.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pick-up head for use with a sidewalk sweeper and a factory floor sweeper, wherein said pick-up head has at least one main broom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel pick-up head for a mobile sweeping vehicle. The pick-up head comprises a main housing defining a substantially hollow interior and has a front, a back, a left end and a right end, a top and a bottom, and a suctioning bottom opening for suctioning dust and small debris into the substantially hollow interior of the main housing. There is a dust and debris outlet in the housing for permitting dust and debris to be suctioned from the substantially hollow interior of the housing into a hopper. There is also at least one main broom operatively mounted in the rearward portion of the substantially hollow interior of the main housing, for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis so as to sweep a surface being cleaned in a generally forward direction, thereby propelling debris forwardly into the substantially hollow interior of the main housing, for subsequent suctioning into the dust and debris outlet. A selectively operable motor means is for operating the at least one main broom.

Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described herein below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the pick-up head for a mobile sweeping vehicle according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the pick-up head according to the present invention, in use on a mobile sweeping vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a cut-away top plan view of the preferred embodiment pick-up head of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cut-away side elevational view of the preferred embodiment pick-up head of FIG. 1, with the selectably movable partition in a lowered air-flow precluding position; and,

FIG. 4 is a cut-away side elevational view of the preferred embodiment pick-up head of FIG. 1, with the selectably movable partition in a raised broom-operating position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 1 through 5, which show a preferred embodiment of the pick-up head for a mobile sweeping vehicle 22 according to the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 20. The pick-up head 20 for a mobile sweeping vehicle 22 comprises a main housing 30 defining a substantially hollow interior 31 and having a front 32, a back 33, a left end 34 and a right end 35, a top 36 and a bottom 37. There is a suctioning bottom opening 38 for suctioning dust and small debris, such as dirt and small stones, and the like, into the substantially hollow interior 31 of the main housing 30. There is a dust and debris outlet 39 in the main housing 30 for permitting dust and debris to be suctioned from the substantially hollow interior 31 of the main housing 30 into a hopper 23 that is mounted at the back of the mobile sweeping vehicle 22, via a duct 26.

The pick-up head 20 further comprises a suctioning front opening 60 disposed in the front of the main housing 30 for receiving debris into the substantially hollow interior 31 of the main housing 30, and in debris receiving relation with respect to a surface being cleaned. Preferably, the suctioning front opening 60 is disposed generally centrally in the front of the main housing 30. The suctioning front opening 60 needs to be large enough to accept large debris, such as most sizes of cans and bottles therethrough.

The front 32 of the main housing 30 comprises left and right portions 32 a,32 b that are each sloped rearwardly and inwardly from the left end 34 and the right end 35, respectively. The suctioning front opening 60 is disposed in the front portion between the left and right portions 32 a,32 b, in debris receiving relation with respect to a surface being cleaned 29. The suctioning front opening 60 is disposed generally centrally in the front of the main housing 30, between the sloped left and right portions 32 a,32 b.

The dust and debris outlet 39 is preferably disposed in the top 36 of the main housing 30, rearwardly of the suctioning front opening 60, so as to take advantage of the relative travel of debris with respect to the pick-up head 20 as the mobile sweeping vehicle 22 travels forwardly. Also, the dust and debris outlet 39 is generally centrally disposed from left to right in the main housing 30, so as to be laterally aligned with the suctioning front opening 60.

A selectively openable and closable door means 70 is operatively mounted on the pick-up head 20, at the suctioning front opening 60, for selectively opening and closing the suctioning front opening 60. The openable and closeable door means 70 comprises at least one door member mounted in hinged relation on the main housing 30. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the openable and closeable door means 70 comprises a single door 70 mounted by means of a horizontally oriented top hinge 72. Preferably, the at least one door member 70 is mounted so as to open inwardly into the substantially hollow interior 31 of the main housing 30. In this manner, the door member 70 opens in the same direction as the relative travel of debris with respect to the pick-up head 20 as the mobile sweeping vehicle 22 travels forwardly.

There is at least one main broom, as indicated by the general reference numeral 40, operatively mounted in the rearward portion of the substantially hollow interior of the main housing, preferably immediately forwardly of the back 33 of the main housing 30. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the at least one main broom 40 comprises a left main broom 41 and a right main broom 42. The left main broom 41 is angled rearwardly and inwardly from the left end 34 of the housing and the right main broom 42 is angled rearwardly and inwardly from the right end 35 of the main housing 30.

The left main broom 41 is mounted on the main housing 30 for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis “HL” so as to sweep a surface being cleaned 29 in a generally forward direction, into the substantially hollow interior 31 of the main housing 30. Similarly, the right main broom 42 is mounted on the main housing 30 for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis “HR” so as to sweep a surface being cleaned 29 in a generally forward direction, into the substantially hollow interior 31 of the main housing 30. The left main broom 41 and the right main broom 42 are situated as close together in end-to-end relation as possible without each interfering with the operation of the other, in order to preclude a gap from existing between the left main broom 41 and the right main broom 42.

As can be readily seen in the figures and understood from the above description, the left main broom 41 and the right main broom 42 are mounted as described for propelling debris forwardly into the substantially hollow interior 31 of the main housing 30, for subsequent suctioning into the dust and debris outlet 39.

There is also a selectively operable motor means for operating the at least one main broom, as indicated by the general reference numeral 50. The selectively operable motor means 50 preferably comprises two hydraulic motors, one hydraulic motor 51 mounted at the outer end of the left main broom 41 and the other hydraulic motor 52 mounted at the outer end of the right main broom 42. The two hydraulic motors 51,52 are each supplied by a suitable hydraulic pump (not specifically shown). The hydraulic pumps are controlled by the operator of the vehicle 22 in order to turn on the left main broom 41 and the right main broom 42 as required. The left main broom 41 and the right main broom 42 are preferably each a grinding type of broom that is suitable for removing debris that is somewhat stuck to the surface being cleaned 29.

The preferred embodiment pick-up head 20 further comprises a selectably movable partition means 80 mounted on the main housing 30, preferably immediately forwardly of the at least one main broom. The selectably movable partition means 80 preferably comprises a left partition 81 and a right partition 82. The left partition 81 is preferably mounted immediately forwardly of the left main broom 41. Similarly, the right partition 82 is preferably mounted immediately forwardly of the right main broom 42. The left partition 81 and the right partition 82 are joined together by a piece of loose flexible material in order to preclude a gap from existing between the left and right partitions 81,82.

The left partition 81 and the right partition 82 are each mounted on the main housing 30 for movement between a lowered air-flow precluding position, as can be best seen in FIG. 3, and a raised broom-operating position, as can be best seen in FIG. 4 (right partition 82 and right main broom 42 actually shown).

The left partition 81 is powered by a hydraulic actuator 83 that is supplied by the same hydraulic pump that supplies the hydraulic motor 51 that operates the left main broom 41. The left partition 81 is moved from its lowered air-flow precluding position to its raised broom-operating position when the left main broom 41 is operating. Similarly, the right partition 82 is powered by a hydraulic actuator 84 that is supplied by the same hydraulic pump that supplies the hydraulic motor 52 that operates the left main broom 41. The right partition 82 is moved from its lowered air-flow precluding position to its raised broom-operating position when the right main broom 42 is operating, as in dictated by arrow “A” in FIG. 4.

In the lowered air-flow precluding position of each of the left and right partitions 81,82, the substantially hollow interior of the main housing 30 is open to the left main broom 41 and the right main broom 42, thereby precluding air flow from the substantially hollow interior of the main housing 30 from reaching the left main broom 41 and the right main broom 42. This is important since the suctioning air flow within the substantially hollow interior 31 of the main housing 30 should be kept flowing within a small confined area in order to be properly effective.

In the raised broom-operating position, the substantially hollow interior 31 of the main housing 30 is closed off to the left main broom 41 and the right main broom 42, thereby permitting forwardly propelled debris from the at least one main broom to reach the substantially hollow interior 31 of the main housing 30, for subsequent suctioning into the dust and debris outlet 39.

In use, as the mobile sweeping vehicle 22 travels forwardly, dust and debris on the surface being cleaned are encountered by the pick-up head 20. Dust and small debris on the surface being cleaned 29 are removed from the surface being cleaned 29 by the left main broom 41 and the right main broom 42, which propel such debris past the left and right partitions 81,82, which are each in their raised broom-operating position when both the left main broom 41 and the right main broom 42 are operating, and into the substantially hollow interior 31 of the main housing 30, for subsequent suctioning into the dust and debris outlet 39.

It should also be noted that the pick-up head 20 for a mobile sweeping vehicle 22 according to the present invention can be used as part of a vacuum type system on a sidewalk sweeper or a factory floor sweeper, or as part of a re-circulating type system on a sidewalk sweeper or a factory floor sweeper, as will now be discussed.

As can be understood from the above description and from the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a pick-up head for use with a sidewalk sweeper and a factory floor sweeper, wherein said pick-up head has at least one main broom, all of which features are unknown in the prior art.

Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the pick-up head for a mobile sweeping vehicle of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims. 

1. A pick-up head for a mobile sweeping vehicle, said pick-up head comprising: a main housing defining a substantially hollow interior and having a front, a back, a left end and a right end, a top and a bottom, and a suctioning bottom opening for suctioning dust and small debris into said substantially hollow interior of said main housing; a dust and debris outlet in said housing for permitting dust and debris to be suctioned from said substantially hollow interior of said housing into a hopper; at least one main broom operatively mounted in the rearward portion of said substantially hollow interior of said main housing, for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis so as to sweep a surface being cleaned in a generally forward direction, thereby propelling debris forwardly into the substantially hollow interior of said main housing, for subsequent suctioning into said dust and debris outlet; selectively operable motor means for operating said at least one main broom.
 2. The pick-up head of claim 1, further comprising a selectably movable partition means mounted on said main housing for movement between a lowered air-flow precluding position whereat said substantially hollow interior of said main housing is open to said at least one main broom, thereby precluding air flow from said substantially hollow interior of said main housing from reaching said at least one main broom, and a raised broom-operating position whereat said substantially hollow interior of said main housing is closed off to said at least one main broom, thereby permitting forwardly propelled debris from said at least one main broom to reach said substantially hollow interior of said main housing, for subsequent suctioning into said dust and debris outlet.
 3. The pick-up head of claim 1, wherein said selectably movable partition means comprises a left partition and a right partition.
 4. The pick-up head of claim 1, further comprising a suctioning front opening disposed in the front of said housing for receiving debris into said substantially hollow interior of said main housing.
 5. The pick-up head of claim 4, wherein the front of said main housing comprises left and right portions that are each sloped rearwardly and inwardly from said left end and said right end, respectively, and wherein said suctioning front opening is disposed in said front portion between said left and right portions, in debris receiving relation with respect to a surface being cleaned.
 6. The pick-up head of claim 5, wherein said at least one main broom comprises a left main broom and a right main broom.
 7. The pick-up head of claim 6, wherein said left main broom is angled rearwardly and inwardly from said left end of said housing and said right main broom is angled rearwardly and inwardly from said right end of said housing.
 8. The pick-up head of claim 4, wherein said suctioning front opening is disposed generally centrally in the front of said housing, between said sloped left and right portions.
 9. The pick-up head of claim 8, further comprising a selectively openable and closable door means operatively mounted on said pick-up head for selectively opening and closing said suctioning front opening.
 10. The pick-up head of claim 9, wherein said openable and closeable door means comprises at least one door member mounted in hinged relation on said housing.
 11. The pick-up head of claim 10, wherein said at least one door member is mounted so as to open inwardly into the substantially hollow interior of said housing.
 12. The pick-up head of claim 1, wherein said dust and debris outlet is disposed in the top of said housing.
 13. The pick-up head of claim 12, wherein said dust and debris outlet is generally centrally disposed from left to right in said housing.
 14. The pick-up head of claim 1, further comprising an airflow obstructing means disposed around the bottom edge of said main housing for substantially obstructing the passage of air between the bottom edge of said main housing and the surface being cleaned.
 15. The pick-up head of claim 14, wherein said airflow obstructing means comprises a series of overlapping rubber flaps depending from the bottom of the main housing. 